As workplace laws evolve to prioritise employee wellbeing, businesses must adapt to remain compliant and foster a productive and supportive environment. Australia’s right to disconnect provisions, introduced to larger organisations in 2024 and extending to small businesses in August 2025, mark a significant step in this direction.  

And with burnout and stress-related absenteeism costing the Australian economy an estimated $14 billion annually (1), these changes reflect a growing recognition of the dual importance of compliance and wellbeing in today’s business landscape.  

This policy empowers employees to establish boundaries around out-of-hours work contact, helping them recharge while promoting a culture of respect and productivity. This blog explores the policy, its significance, and how businesses can use technology to align with these requirements to drive operational success.

 

What is the Right to Disconnect Policy?

The right to disconnect allows employees to decline monitoring, reading, or responding to work-related contact outside their regular working hours, provided their refusal is reasonable. These provisions aim to protect personal time, establish boundaries between work and home life and encourage open discussions about communication expectations. 

Key factors determining reasonableness include the urgency of the contact, the potential disruption to the employee, whether the employee is compensated for availability, and the nature of their role and personal circumstances.  

For businesses, compliance means balancing operational needs with respect for employees’ rights and ensuring clarity to prevent misunderstandings and disputes. 

Myth: Employers cannot contact employees outside working hours. 

Reality: Employers can reach out when it’s reasonable, such as during emergencies or if an employee’s role specifically includes after-hours availability. The emphasis is on a reasonable and respectful engagement. 

 

Why the Right to Disconnect Matters – And How to Adapt It

This policy highlights the importance of employee wellbeing and shows how businesses can benefit by embracing these changes: 

• Supporting employee wellbeing: Disconnecting from work allows employees to rest and recharge, reducing burnout and improving mental health.  
• Enhancing talent retention: Organisations prioritising work-life balance are more attractive to top talent and better equipped to retain their workforce. 
• Ensuring legal compliance: Adhering to the policy avoids penalties and disputes, providing businesses with legal and reputational benefits. 
• Boosting productivity: Employees who can disconnect are more engaged and efficient during working hours. 

Transitioning to compliance with this policy involves thoughtful planning and clear communication. Businesses can achieve this by implementing robust policies, fostering open dialogue, and cultivating a culture that values boundaries. 

Develop clear policies

Create guidelines that define communication expectations outside working hours. These should outline specific scenarios where contact may be necessary and the appropriate channels to use. Regular reviews will ensure the policies remain relevant as workplace dynamics evolve. 

Encourage open communication 

Discuss out-of-hours contact with employees to set expectations that suit individual roles and workplace requirements. Training managers to understand and respect these boundaries is equally critical. 

Shift workplace culture 

Leadership must champion a culture that values work-life balance. Respecting disconnection boundaries demonstrates commitment and builds trust across teams. 

Leverage technology  

Using the right tools ensures employees can disconnect and helps maintain operational efficiency and adherence to regulatory requirements.

 

Using Technology to Drive Organisation-Wide Compliance

Technology is pivotal in helping businesses align with the right to disconnect policies, ensuring compliance while fostering a positive employee experience. By leveraging the right tools, organisations can address legal requirements, empower employees, and create a culture that respects boundaries while maintaining operational efficiency. 

One key aspect of the policy is its flexibility – it allows employees to work outside traditional 9-to-5 hours without unintentionally pressuring colleagues to respond to communications after hours.  

But while individuals have tools to manage boundaries, most don’t implement them or are unaware that they exist. The real value lies in the organisation-wide adoption and enforcement of these features. Axiom IT empowers businesses to take proactive control, ensuring consistent practices across all devices enrolled in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system. 

Here are some ways Axiom IT supports compliance: 

• Quiet hours in Microsoft Teams and Outlook (iOS/Android): Employees can set work hours and quiet times to prevent notifications outside designated hours, giving them full control over when they engage with work-related communication.
• MDM for Android users: With MDM, work apps such as Microsoft Outlook and Teams can be turned off with a single tap, ensuring complete disconnection from work on personal devices. This feature particularly benefits individuals seeking a clear divide between personal and professional life, particularly while on vacation. 

While iOS lacks a one-tap solution like Android, Teams and Outlook settings can be centrally managed to align with company policies, making it easy for organisations to ensure consistent implementation. 

• Automated quiet hours policies: Organisations can enforce quiet hours across all devices enrolled in an MDM system. By standardising notification settings for Teams and Outlook across the workforce, businesses ensure that employees are not pressured to respond to after-hours communication, regardless of their technical know-how. 

 

Embracing the Future with Employee-Centric Solutions

Compliance with the right to disconnect represents an opportunity for businesses to showcase their commitment to employee wellbeing. By embracing these changes and leveraging the right tools, organisations can create a culture of respect, productivity, and innovation. 

Axiom IT is here to guide you through this transition. Our tailored solutions, automated communication tools, and compliance-focused systems ensure that your business not only meets legal requirements but prioritises employee satisfaction and operational efficiency. Partner with us to transform compliance into a competitive advantage and empower your teams to thrive. 

Contact Axiom IT today to discover how we can support your business with innovative, employee-focused workplace solutions.